The Bridge is the ninth episode of the first season of The Handmaid's Tale.
Synopsis
Offred embarks on a dangerous mission for the resistance. Janine moves to a new posting. Serena Joy suspects the Commander’s infidelity.
Plot
The Bridge starts off with Janine formally giving up her child to her host family and leaving their household. It's an emotional moment because Janine is not ready to part ways with her daughter.
Offred reaches out to another handmaiden, Alma, who is involved with the resistance. She says she wants to be a part of "May Day" and contribute to the resistance movement. Alma resists at first but ultimately accepts Offred's offer and gives her her first assignment - get a mystery package from "Rachel at the bar" in the Jezebel's club and hold on to it until further notice.
Offred goes to Mr. Waterford's office to flirt with him and convince him to take her again to Jezebel's. He complies and they sneak out that night after Mrs. Waterford goes to bed. When they're in the club, they go straight to the room. Mr. Waterford ordered Offred a "surprise" - a girl, Ruby, aka Moira. He noticed that they looked friendly the last time they were at the club so he thought it would be a nice surprise. Moira is furious that Offred is back at the club and a part of the rebellion movement. She refuses to get Rachel's Package for Offred.
In the meantime Nick and Beth are meeting in the Jezebel's kitchen. Nick wants to know if Beth "asked around at the bar" and if "nobody's planning anything stupid", and Beth replies that the girls in here are not "in the shape for a rebellion". She confirms that Offred's identity has not been discovered, warning Nick about the dangerous consequences of "poking around, asking questions", or "being sweet" on a handmaid.
Offred isn't able to retrieve the package when she's at the club, so they return home. The next morning, Mrs. Waterford wakes up Offred to rush to help Janine, who is threatening to jump off a bridge with her daughter to be free. Offred convinces her to release the baby, which Janine does right before she jumps off the bridge. She ends up in a coma.
Offred is next seen going to the supermarket where she orders some meat. The butcher slyly gives her the secret package that she was supposed to retrieve at Jezebel's, with a note from Moira attached.
Moira is seen killing one of her customers in the club, putting on a uniform, and driving off in one of the black cars owned by the government.
Cast
Starring
- Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne
- Joseph Fiennes as Fred Waterford
- Yvonne Strahovski as Serena Joy Waterford
- Madeline Brewer as Janine
- Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia
- O-T Fagbenle as Luke Bankole
- Max Minghella as Nick Blaine
- Samira Wiley as Moira
Guest Starring
- Amanda Brugel as Rita
- Ever Carradine as Naomi Putnam
- Kristen Gutoskie as Beth
- Tattiawna Jones as Lillie Fuller
- Stephen Kunken as Warren Putnam
Additional Cast
- Nina Kiri as Alma
- Birgitte Solem as Putnam Martha
- Ricky Tollman as Putnam's Driver
- Matthew Olver as Commander Monroe
- Christy Bruce as Emma Monroe
- Dana Puddicombe as Econowife
- Ian Ronningen as Guardian
- Jordana Blake as Hannah Bankole
- Joel Rinzler as Butcher
Quotes
Gallery
References
| Season 1 | Offred | Birth Day | Late | Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum | Faithful | A Woman's Place The Other Side | Jezebels | The Bridge | Night |
| June | Unwomen | Baggage | Other Women | Seeds | First Blood | After | Women's Work Smart Power | The Last Ceremony | Holly | Postpartum | The Word | |
| Night | Mary and Martha | Useful | God Bless the Child | Unknown Caller Household | Under His Eye | Unfit | Heroic | Witness | Liars | Sacrifice | Mayday | |
| Pigs | Nightshade | The Crossing | Milk | Chicago | Vows | Home | Testimony Progress | The Wilderness | |
| Morning | Ballet | Border | Dear Offred | Fairytale | Together | No Man's Land | Motherland | Allegiance | Safe | |